ISP, Judicial Branch budgets set, funds shifted

When JFAC set the budget for the Idaho State Police this morning, budget writers shifted more than $800,000 in one-time costs for things like a communications console replacement and a district office remodel from the state general fund to the Economic Recovery Reserve Fund, reducing the general-fund increase below the governor’s recommendation, but keeping total funds exactly the same as the governor’s recommendation. The reason they were able to do that:

Last year, JFAC appropriated $20 million to the ERRF in anticipation of the 27 ^th payroll period expense this year. But it turned out the state controller’s office reported that wasn’t the most efficient way to fund those payroll expenses, as it would have required myriad changes in funding source codes for many very small shifts in funds. So those payroll expenses are being funded in each agency’s budget instead, and budget writers are allocating the $20 million from ERRF to various one-time expenses in agency budgets as they set them, reducing the overall general-fund expense in each of those.

That’s why the budget set today for ISP shows a 6 percent increase in general funds, compared to the governor’s recommended 9.3 percent, but matches the 10.2 percent increase in total funds.

Budget writers also tapped the ERRF for the Judicial Branch budget today, to cover the next $2 million in one-time funds for Phase 3 of the five-year project of replacing the court’s computerized case management system; and for $194,000 in additional equipment required as part of expanding language access and translation services to ensure everyone has access to courts.

The Judicial Branch budget, approved on a unanimous 19-0 vote, reflects a 2.7 percent decrease in state general funds as a result; the governor’s recommendation was for a 5.4 percent increase, in large part because of the $2 million item. In total funds, the budget JFAC set for the Judicial Branch reflects a 2.1 percent increase, compared to Otter’s 3.8 percent recommendation. Budget writers also left out several items that are awaiting legislation and will be addressed in trailer bills, and trimmed back a proposal for a new judicial excellence and education program by nearly two-thirds.

The ISP budget, also approved on a unanimous vote, raised some questions because ISP requested to replace patrol cars only when they’ve hit 110,000 miles, up from 100,000 miles this year and as low as 75,000 miles in past years. Col. Ralph Powell, ISP director, was asked about the change, and said, “I’d prefer to see that come down.” He said the change was “budget driven,” and ISP was just “being a team player in the budget-driven issues.”

JFAC Co-Chair Rep. Maxine Bell, R-Jerome, said, “When some of us come back in January, we could take a look at that again.”